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Economic Development grant to include money for children’s museum
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Friday, August 24, 2018
Pizza Fest a hit for second year in a row By Christopher Roberson
By Christopher Roberson
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fforts are currently underway to garner a $2 million state grant as the city’s Community Development Department continues to bolster economic growth in downtown Peabody. Director Curt Bellavance said $1.2 million would be used to help fund the process of converting St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Washington Street into a children’s museum. “That will be a welcome addition to help move the project forward,” he said, adding that the city already owns the property at 12 Washington St. Bellavance also said that Mayor Edward Bettencourt has expressed a desire to have a children’s museum in Peabody. “It’s something we feel is needed,” said Bellavance. Councillor-at-Large David Gravel shared his support for a children’s museum.“Our goal in purchasing the St. Paul’s property was to put a children’s museum at that site as another redevelopment effort to make Peabody more destination friendly,” he said. “Located on the same street as other museum and historical buildings in the city, I think this is a great use for the property; I am glad we are moving forward with the help of the state to make this a reality.” In addition to funding for the children’s museum, the remaining grant money would include $150,000 for welcome signs, $250,000 for way finding signs at Centennial Park and $350,000 to redesign the traffic flow in the Pulaski Mills area. However, Bellavance said he is not sure when the city would receive the grant. “That’s something that we definitely want to address in the short term,” he said. Although the city has made a series of significant financial investments in the downtown area, Bellavance said he and his colleagues want more for Main Street and Peabody Square. “Any time you think you’ve made it, you’re in trouble,” he said. “It’s a moving process.” Therefore, Bellavance said, he is always searching for “different types of venues to attract people to downtown,”adding that one such venue could be an arts and culture district.
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rom 4 to 6 p.m., Railroad Avenue was clogged with wall-to-wall people sampling a variety of pizzas from a panel of vendors that included Reach for the Pie, Mr. G’s Pizza & Subs, Gallo Nero and Plum Tomatoes Brick Oven Pizza during the second annual Pizza Fest. Like last year, customers had their choice of everything from plain cheese to meat lovers to Hawaiian pizzas. Going into the Aug. 19 event, Gary Hynes of Tasty Foods said he“figured 30-40 pizzas”would be adequate. However, by 5:10 p.m. he and co-worker Savvary Kent had already blown through 40 pizzas and needed reinforcements. “We’ve got another 30 coming over,” said Hynes, adding that the event was much bigger than he anticipated. At 5:25 p.m., Joshua Canfield of Reach for the Pie said he and co-worker Dominic Gatto had handed out 35 of the 40 pizzas allotted for the event. Last
Tracey DeLeo (left) and Catherine Schroder of Plum Tomatoes Brick Oven Pizza display a delicious pie during Peabody’s second annual Pizza Fest on Aug. 19. (Advocate Photo by Christopher Roberson)
year, Canfield gave out 243 slices in 33 minutes. “We were a little more prepared this year,” he said. With 20 minutes to go, Kristiana Alexandrou of Gallo Nero
said the number of pizzas she and co-worker Malvina Bejleri had given away was “just shy of 100.” “Our lines were going
PIZZA FEST | SEE PAGE 4
A Small Creation celebrates new location in Hallmark Building By Christopher Roberson
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ndrea Titelbaum, owner of A Small Creation, recently celebrated the grand opening of her new location in one of the two front suites of the Hallmark Building at 215 Newbury St. Titelbaum said she had occupied Suite 204A since 2012; however, space and visibility had become problematic. “I was getting to the point where people were saying, ‘We didn’t know you were here,’” she said during the Aug. 17 grand opening at Suite 202. “Now when you come in the front door you see me.” Titelbaum also said that space is no longer a concern. “I went from 900 square feet to 2,700 square feet, it’s a huge jump,” she said. In addition to offering an array of personalized items from napkins to invitations to holiday cards, Titelbaum also does all her printing on site. “That’s what makes me unique,” she
Shown, from left to right, are Jenna Coccimiglio, executive director of the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce; Ross Titelbaum; Andrea Titelbaum, owner of A Small Creation; Alan Titelbaum; and Mayor Edward Bettencourt during the store’s grand opening at 215 Newbury St., Suite 202 on Aug. 17.
said, adding that customers’ orders are ready for pick up within “24 to 48” hours. In contrast, Titelbaum said, her competitors typically require “10-plus days” to complete an order.
She has also strived to maintain modest price points by including the personalization cost in the total price of the item. “I’m not nickeling and diming,” she said.
Prior to establishing A Small Creation in 2009 and running the business out of her home until 2012, Titelbaum said, she had worked for Blue Tulip in Swampscott. After that store
closed, Titelbaum’s husband, Alan, urged her to go into business for herself. “My family has been above and beyond for me,” she said. “There’s nothing sad about what I do.” Mayor Edward Bettencourt said he was thrilled to take part in cutting the ribbon. “This is my favorite part of the job,” he said, adding that he is a frequent customer of A Small Creation, and “Andrea is so talented, she does amazing work.” Jenna Coccimiglio, executive director of the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce, said Titelbaum’s store is “a hidden gem of unusual gift options paired with on-site customization, perfect for both personal and business gift giving.” In addition, Coccimiglio said A Small Creation will be hosting the chamber’s October networking event, “Women in Business.”
HALLMARK | SEE PAGE 2